Q: What is the Gaming Union and how does it work?

A: The Gaming Union/UAW is one of the largest and most diverse unions in the United States, with members in virtually every sector of the economy. It is a democratic organization, run by its dues-paying members in good standing. The dues-paying members in good standing elect local union officers and bargaining committees, and they also elect delegates who vote to establish policies on collective bargaining, political action, and other issues. Generally, a person becomes a dues-paying member after the first contract is ratified.

Q: Who runs the union?

A: You and your co-workers are the union – coming together to solve problems. You’re an important part of the team that makes your company a success – and you have a right to be heard whenever decisions are made about your workplace. By joining with your co-workers to create your own local union you’ll have a much stronger voice than any individual worker could have standing alone. And you will help to create balance, fairness and stability between labor and management.

Q: What are my legal rights if I want to try to form a union?

A: The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) provides the legal framework for every working person to join together to form a union if he/she so chooses. It is illegal for an employer to retaliate against you in any way simply because you support having a union in your workplace. The Act also provides for various means of recognizing union support in a work place, including an NLRB supervised election and a procedure called “card-check” that involves verification that a majority of the workforce have signed union representation authorization cards.

Q: I’d like to see some changes at work, but I think I can handle it on my own. Why do I need a union?

A: Every individual has plenty to contribute when it comes to solving problems at work. But a single voice can easily be ignored. Joining together to make things better is a proud and democratic American tradition, from the patriots who started our country, to the tens of millions of people who belong to religious groups, civic associations, and professional organizations. Your employer pays dues to the Chamber of Commerce and other trade associations that represent the interest of business to the public and to local, state, and federal governments. Millions of American workers have chosen to join a union in order to have a voice in the workplace and to be part of an organization that stands for the interest of working families.